NLEX wallops RnW; PC Gilmore scores

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX used a fiery start to repulse RnW Pacific Pipes, 106-76, Thursday for its sixth straight win in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Meralco Gym.

The Road Warriors turned to RR Garcia in pulling away early and improved to 7-1, assuring themselves of at least a playoff berth for an automatic semifinal berth.

PC Gilmore also got off to a blistering opening-quarter charge and overwhelmed Blackwater, 83-61, to stay in the fight for a quarterfinal berth.

Paolo Taha and Jett Vidal came through with 13 points each as the Wizards notched their fourth straight win after a woeful 0-5 start.

More than the convincing victory, PC Gilmore coach Art Dela Cruz said their run of victories have instilled a strong belief within the team that they can still make the playoffs.

“We strongly believe we’ll make the quarters,” said Dela Cruz. “But our job is not yet over. We have one more game to win.”

The Wizards’ playoff hopes will hinge on the outcome of their duel against fellow quarterfinal aspirant Boracay Rum (4-5).

Garcia nailed a triple that set off a 14-0 burst in the opening minutes, putting the Road Warriors in solid control against a Pacific Pipes squad still hoping to gain one of the two twice-to-beat incentives for the quarterfinals.

The Far Eastern U guard buried six of seven 3-point shots and finished with 22 points, while Garvo Lanete, Cliff Hodge, Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva dished out double-digit outputs for the Road Warriors.

The comfortable win failed to calm the nerves of NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, who is looking forward to the Jan. 12 meeting against semifinalist Cebuana Lhuilier.

“Anything can still happen so we have to win against Cebuana next week,” said Fernandez.

With the loss, the Steel Masters, at 4-4, need to win their remaining two games to claim a quarterfinal berth.

Playing their first game in a month, the Elite were sluggish, allowing the Wizards to take a 21-8 lead behind the hot shooting of Taha and AJ Mandani.

The fourth straight loss of the Elite dropped them to 3-4, although they remain in quarterfinal contention.

Blackwater came within 27-34 on back-to-back treys by Joseph Marata in the third quarter, but the Wizards were up to the challenge, dropping eight unanswered points.

The scores:
First Game
PC GILMORE 83—Taha 13, Vidal 13, Nabong 10, Sarangay 9, Mandani 9, Cagoco 8, Celiz 7, Acosta 6, Foronda 4, Agas 4, Lim 0, Nuilan 0, Torres 0, Magat 0.
BLACKWATER 61—Bautista 15, Ciriacruz G. 13, Fortuna 10, Marata 6, Pascual 4, Tan 4, Acidre 3, Afuang 3, Bringas 2, Camus 1, Ciriascruz I. 0, Doligon 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 39-31, 56-44, 83-61
Second Game
NLEX 106—Garcia 21, Lanete 16, Sanggalang 14, Abueva 12, Ellis 12, Belencion 7, Co 6, Monfort 5, Hodge 4, Marcelo 4, Dehesa 3, Suguita 2, Arao 0.
PACIFIC PIPES 76—SanVictores 22, Ilagan 14, Buensuceso 13, Racal 7, Del rio 7, Miranda 5, Vitug 5, Delgado 3, Maiquez 0, Zulueta 0, Semira 0.
Quarters: 25-11, 48-39, 74-57, 106-76